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IBL West division preview

by Jeff Duncan
June 28, 2007 - International Basketball League (IBL)


Game 1. (3) Santa Barbara Breakers 15-5 v. (6) Central Oregon Hotshots

9-12 1:30pm Tipoff

-Season Series: Teams did not play each other

-Prediction: Santa Barbara 180 - Central Oregon 140

-All-Stars: Santa Barbara: Toby Bailey, Fred Vinson, Allan Purnell, Billy Knight; Central Oregon: Paul Hafford, Arthur Lewis.

Santa Barbara is one of the hottest teams coming into the 2007 IBL playoffs. The Breaker's wealth of talent is starting to gel and Santa Barbara is riding a season best nine game winning streak-including wins in 11 of their last 12. The Breakers are lead by Toby Bailey, Fred Vinson, Lamond Murray, Billy Knight, and a host of other solid minor league players. I can't see how Central Oregon can match up since they have been giving up about 160 points a game this year. Look for the Breakers to roll. Breakers top scorers: Lamond Murray 25.3 points per game, Toby Bailey 24.3, Fred Vinson 20.5, Allan Purnell 16.7, Trayvon Lathan 16.7.

Central Oregon can score points. They have averaged 147 points a game this year. The catch is they have been giving up points at a record clip. The Hotshots have given up an average of 180 points a game the last four games of the regular season. Against a team like Santa Barbara, which has so many weapons, it will be a challenge for the Hotshots to stay with The Breakers. Central Oregon may keep it close for a half but look for Santa Barbara to break the game open after halftime. Hotshots top scorers: Paul Hafford 24.8 points per game, Arthur Lewis 21.7, Brandon Erlandson 21.3, Cliff White 19.9, Terry Horton 18.5, Kevin 'Pip" Bloodsaw 17.7, Phillip Freeman 16.9.

-Game 2. (4) Portland Chinooks 17-6 v. (5) Las Vegas Stars 11-4 4pm Tipoff

-Season Series: Teams did not play each other

-Prediction: Portland 140 - Las Vegas 135

-All-Stars: Portland: David Lucas, David Jackson, Mike Parker, Shammgod Wells; Las Vegas: Hollis Hale, Eddie Shelby

Portland better watch out for Las Vegas and not chalk this up as a "W". I can see the Stars possibly pulling the upset. The Chinooks do have my favorite to win IBL player of the year, David Lucas, back in their lineup. Lucas averaged a league leading 36.8 points a game. He is capable of putting up 50 points a game and completely dominating the inside. The Chinooks kept winning this season in spite of Lucas' absence because Mike Parker, Shammgod Wells, Terrence Green, and David Jackson stepped up and played very well. Portland has the talent to go deep into the playoffs. The key for them is getting David Lucas as many touches as possible. With Shammgod Wells running the point and Lucas down low Portland is as good as anyone. Chinooks top scorers: David Lucas 36.8 points per game, Shammgod Wells 28.4, David Jackson 24.6, Mike Parker 21.1, Kenny Tate 19.0.

Las Vegas has been putting up Bugs Bunny like offensive numbers since Dan Savage took over as head coach. The Stars set a new scoring record by defeating the Phoenix Flame 206 - 128 in their last regular season game of the season. Coach Savage noted, "We have scored 565 points over the last 3 home games; some other teams do that at the half way point in the season. This group has not been challenged by any IBL team yet, I think most of them are ready to make the leap to the next level" Well, they will get challenged by Portland. I can see Las Vegas pulling an upset because they can match up with Portland at the guard position with DaJuan Wagner and Willie Tate. My question is how do the Stars match up with David Lucas of Portland? That will be the key. Stars top scorers: Dajuan Tate 34.6 points per game, Waki Williams 28.0, Eddie Shelby 20.0, Tarron Williams 18.5, Hollis Hale 14.0.

-Game 3. (2) Everett Explosion 16-4 v. (7) Vancouver Volcanoes 6-16 6:15 Tipoff

-Season Series: Everett 1-0

-Prediction: Everett 150 - Vancouver 120

All-Stars: Everett: Rashaad Powell, Donald Watts, Justin Murray; Vancouver: Abdoulaye N'Diaye, Porter Troupe

This game could get out of hand in a hurry. The expansion Everett Explosion had a very impressive season on and off the court. Everett can beat teams in many different ways. Leading the charge is Rashaad Powell, Donald Watts, Justin Murray, and Jamaal Miller. Everett can put up a lot of points but the key for them is they actually play defense! Hard nosed head coach Randy Redwine insists everyone play defense and hustle or you don't play! How refreshing! Explosion top scorers: Rashaad Powell 29.0 points per game, Donald Watts 21.1, Jamaal Miller 19.7, Justin Murray 14.6, Chris Weakley 12.2.

Vancouver has a big challenge ahead of them if they want to stay with the Explosion. The Volcanoes have been energized by the return of 2006 IBL All-Star Brad Lechtenberg following an ankle injury. Lechtenberg, along with recent addition Abdoulaye N'Diaye, give the Volcanoes a very nice inside-outside combo. Lechtenberg is one of the best pure shooters I have ever seen. N'Diaye is a very skilled big man who the L.A. Lakers have interest in. The Volcanoes will need their supporting cast to step up if they want to give Everett a run for their money. Volcanoes top scorers: Abdoulaye N'Diaye 19.7 points per game, Porter Troupe 19.6, Alex Hartman 16.2, Brad Lechtenberg 17.6, Jerrod Perry 18.8.

-Game 4. (1) Salem Stampede 17-3 v. (8) Lewis County Raptors 3-17 8:30 Tipoff

-Season Series: Salem 1-0

-Prediction Salem 160 - Lewis County 110

-All-Stars: Salem: Blake Walker, Mike Tabb, Jeff Dunn, Antone Jarrell; Lewis County: Jamal Walker, Chucky Frierson.

I'm not saying Salem basically has a bye playing Lewis County......I'm just saying..... There is not a smoother running offensive machine in the IBL than Salem. Coach Joe Becerra has a myriad of offensive weapons lead by Blake Walker, Antone Jarrell, Jeff Dunn, Mike Tabb, Will Funn, and Nick DeWitz. It's impossible to shut everyone down as they share the ball very well. Antone Jarrell recently put up an IBL record 68 points against Central Oregon. Any one of the Stampede top players is capable of a big night. Stampede top scorers: Blake Walker 32.1 points per game, Antone Jarrell 25.3, Mike Tabb 24.5, Jeff Dunn 19.0, Nick DeWitz 17.1.

Lewis County doesn't belong in the playoffs with just three wins but since this is the minor leagues they can be invited. I guess any thing is possible and they could upset the Stampede. They don't play games on paper. The Raptors are not without some offensive weapons. Lewis Lofton, a home town hero fresh off a stellar season in Poland, poured in 40 points for the Raptors in his debut. Jamal Walker has exploded in the Raptors last three games, scoring 35 points against Seattle, 43 against Eugene, and 35 versus Chicago Heights. Another scorer for the Raptors is guard Casey Frandsen, former star at the University of Portland. This will be a great homecoming for Casey if his Raptors can pull off the huge upset. Raptor leading scorers: Lewis Lofton 40.0 points per game (1 game played), Frandsen 21.5, Chucky Frierson 20.2, Jamal Walker 18.8.

-Round Two Predictions:

-Santa Barbara 140 - Everett 135 (I told you there will be some upsets in the wild-wild west)

-Salem 135 - Portland 130

-IBL West Final

-Salem 140 - Santa Barbara 137 (Salem has the slight advantage of not traveling as far as the Breakers)

IBL FINAL PREDICTION:

-Salem 120 - Elkhart 116 (This is based on current rosters. If the rosters change radically before the July 21st championship please ignore this prediction)



International Basketball League Stories from June 28, 2007


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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